New Wayne/Pike veterans representative   
HAWLEY, PA — Rep. Mike Peifer (R-Pike/Wayne) welcomed Brian Stolarski who will now serve as the American Legion veterans service representative in the 139th District, replacing Dominick Nati, who retired at the end of 2018.

“I am thrilled to have Brian working with my office to help with our veterans’ needs, and I know he will be a great asset to our community,” said Peifer. “I also want to wish Dominick a happy retirement and thank him for his assistance over the past several years with our local veterans.”

Peifer holds veterans assistance hours at his district office in Hawley, 2523 Route 6, Suite 2, on the second Monday of each month. The next veterans assistance hours will take place on Monday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans need not be a member of the American Legion to take advantage of these assistance hours. To schedule an appointment, call Peifer’s office at 570/226-5959.

Accredited American Legion service officers are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, to veterans and their families. While the majority of a service officer’s work involves application for VA disability benefits, these compassionate professionals also provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits and other important topics.

Pike man arrested in overdose death
MILFORD, PA — The Pennsylvania State Police Blooming Grove Criminal Investigation Unit, while investigating the apparent overdose death of the victim, Donnamarie Larocca, determined that the heroin that led to her death was provided to her by 44-year-old Rocco Fradella.

Larocca died of an overdose in April 2018. Police found a text on her phone from Fradella warning that she should “go easy” because this was a potent batch.  The text messages indicate that Fradella delivered heroin laced with fentanyl in bags labeled “Mobey Dick.” When police searched Fradella’s home, they found bags labeled with the same name.

Larocca, 40, had a history of addiction, and died after being taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital. 

Fradella was charged with the felony offenses of drug delivery resulting in death, delivery of a controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility. State police say the investigation is still open.

Sullivan County Clerk race
MONTICELLO, NY — Democrat David Sager will challenge Republican Russell Reeves in the race to become the next Sullivan County Clerk.

 A Sager post on Facebook said, “With the retirement of respected and long-time public servant, Dan Briggs, I have decided to run for the office of County Clerk. This will be my last foray in the political arena. Very simply, my own legacy of public service, passion and knowledge make me the most appropriate fit for this position at this time in the county’s history. While I will have a more formal public announcement in the coming days, I want you all to know that I am committed to this election and once again serving the people of Sullivan County with the integrity, competence and selflessness I am known for.”

Reeves said in an email, “I am pleased and honored to be announcing my candidacy for Sullivan County Clerk on Wednesday, February 27 at noon in the Government Center in Monticello, N.Y. Since being appointed last year as deputy county clerk by Daniel Briggs, I have gained an understanding of the complexities of this department including its future capabilities. I look forward to a positive campaign, meeting citizens and tackling challenges.”

New Office for the Aging director
MONTICELLO, NY — Lise-Anne Deoul has been hired by Sullivan County as the new director of the Office for the Aging. A longtime advocate for senior citizens, Deoul most recently was the case manager for expanded in-home services for the elderly program case manager with the Office for the Aging in Rockland County, where she was grew up. As part of her duties, Deoul managed a caseload of 70 citizens and assisted in program administration, often working directly with homebound clients.

“I would tell them, ‘My goal is to keep you out of a nursing home,’” she relates— frequently successful in that effort. “I want seniors to remain as independent as possible.”

After graduating from SUNY Plattsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Deoul began her career with nonprofits, running group homes and working with mentally ill young adults. She transitioned to serving the aging population when she joined Rockland County government in 2000.

 “I enjoy meeting people, winning their trust and contributing to their happiness and comfort,” she said.